Psychology of Family

Recommended Prerequisites

None.

Teaching Methods

Classes take place using either: lectures, group work analysis / reflection, watching videos, role-play and stimulation of topics previously worked by students in field research.

Learning Outcomes

- Promote awareness around the concept of family and family development, having as theoretical framework the evolution Cycle of Family.

- To know the Assessment Systemic Model and understanding of family functioning

- To develop skills of reflection and interview in practical contexts

Theoretical skills, it is aimed that students:

- Know the different moments of the course of family life cycle;

- Are able to identify factors associated with this course and the specific possibilities and difficulties of each stage of the Life Cycle;

- Identify the problem of violence in each stage of Life Cycle;

- Recognize the various "forms" of family beyond the intact middle-class family.

 

Practical Skills, it is aimed that students:

- Are able to assess family functioning in real cases;

- Identify, from the analysis of cases, the difficulties and the specific features of real families.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

(In) definition of family: the family household

 2. The Life Cycle of intact middle class family

 a. Lines of analysis: synchronic and diachronic

3. From developmental pathways to the problems

 3.1. Couple formation

 3.1.1. The construction of "us"

 3.1.2. Domestic violence

3.2. Family with young children

 3.2.1. From marital relationship to parenting

 3.2.2. Child abuse

 3.3. Family with children in school

 3.3.1. Family-school relationship

 3.3.2. School failure

3.4. Family with teenagers

 3.4.1. The issue(s) of autonomy/ies

 3.4.2. Developmental disorders (ex.: anorexia)

 3.5. Family with adult children

 3.5.2. The elderly in the family / violence towards the elderly

4. The impact of death throughout the Life Cycle

 5. The transformation of today's life cycle: the role of women

 6. The life cycle and other forms of families

 6.1. The Life Cycle of divorce and post-divorce family

 6.2. Remarriage

 6.3. Adoptive families

 6.4. Single-parent families

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Madalena Santos Torres Veiga Carvalho

Assessment Methods

Final
Exam: 100.0%

Periodic
Preparation of a reflective summary for each lecture: 25.0%
Preparation of field work, with the presentation in class and submission of a written report before the exam day : 25.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

Alberto, I. (2008). Maltrato infantil: Entre um destino e uma história. In A. Matos et al (Coord.). A Maldade Humana (pp.107-130). Coimbra: Almedina

Carter, B. &McGodrick, M. (1995). As mudanças no Ciclo de Vida Familiar. Uma estrutura para a terapia familiar. Porto Alegra: Artes Médicas.

Gonçalves, R.A & Machado, C. (Coord.) (2002). Violência e Vítimas de Crime. Vol1. Adultos. Coimbra: Quarteto.

Gonçalves, R.A & Machado, C. (Coord.) (2002). Violência e Vítimas de Crime. Vol2. Crianças. Coimbra: Quarteto.

Pais, A., Milheiro, G., & Alberto, I; (2005). “Lá em casa mando eu!” a abordagem estrutural em comportamentos de oposição. Psiquiatria Clínica, 26, 20-33.

Relvas, A.P. (1996). O Ciclo Vital da Família. Perspectiva Sistémica. Porto: Edições Afrontamento.

Relvas, A.P. & Alarcão, M. (coord.)(2003). Novas Formas de Família. Coimbra: Quarteto.

Walsh, F. &McGoldrick, M. (1998). Morte na Família: Sobrevivendo às Perdas. Porto Alegre: Artes Médicas.